Online abuse of people is so out of control
WE’ LL all give out for awhile but then re treat to our normal routines and nothing is ever done about it. Indeed, can anything be done at all about online abuse? Probably not at this stage it has become such a monstrosity that’s completely out of control.
No sooner as the Be Kind profile pics gone up on Facebook in the wake of the Caroline Frack tragedy that people were abusing each again.
There’s simply no end to the vile abuse being dished out to not only those in the public eye but also to ordinary, private citizens. And, before anyone says it, politicians are not fair game for abuse. They enter politics out of a sense of community and desire to change things. They mightn’t succeed but that’s no reason to subject them to most abhorrant of abuse.
There isn’t a politician in the country that hasn’t been subjected to the most awful online abuse and it’s simply unacceptable.
Facebook and other social media platforms are unable to control the vitriol its users are subjecting others to.
It has got to the stage where anyone who simply shares the public limelight for a few seconds will receive unwarranted abuse.
It will get to the stage, and it has already in many quarters, where those contemplating entering public life will simply not to do so.
Who in their right mind would open themselves and their families to such abuse from cowardless and often faceless trolls?
The country’s brightest will shy away from public life and who could blame them.
Many people are giving up on social media such is the anture it has become. Footballers too receive appalling abuse and many are opting out.
Television personalities, reality stars, the list goes on of those who suffer. It’s a really frightening society we now live in.
Only last week, Sligo/Leitrim’s newly elected TD, Frank Feighan said he had been shocked by the level of disgusting abuse levelled at politicians in recent weeks.
“Social media has become an absolute cesspit for these abusers and the question is, is anybody shouting stop?” he asked.
The answer of course, is that nobody is calling a halt, least of all the media platforms. Deputy Feighan said the constant mocking of decent people with vile online abuse seems to be standard and acceptable fare for many of these keyboard warriors.
It comes down to respect and manners.